Juwan Staten vows to continue working in D-League

Two Mountaineers selected in final day of MLB Draft

MORGANTOWN, W.Va.–Two members of the West Virginia Mountaineers’ baseball team were drafted during the final day of the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft on Wednesday.

The Washington Nationals took junior right-hander Blake Smith in the 24th round with the 734th overall selection. Senior shortstop Taylor Munden was chosen in the 27th round when the Miami Marlins selected him with the 806th pick.

Incoming freshman righty Connor Bennett was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 34thround with the 1015th pick.

West Virginia has had 12 players drafted in the last three seasons. Currently, 14 former Mountaineers are playing in the professional ranks.

Munden was the only senior drafted, and the two underclassmen will have until Friday July 17th to decide whether they will try their hands at professional baseball or return to West Virginia.

Smith had a 3.64 ERA in 20 appearances with the Mountaineers this season. He went 4-1 with five saves and was named to the All-Big 12 Honorable Mention team.

“It’s something I have been working toward for a long time now. I’m excited for the opportunity,” Smith said. “I don’t think this would have happened if I hadn’t decided to come to WVU and for that I am grateful.”

Munden led West Virginia and the Big 12 with 11 home runs. He batted a .266 clip with 31 RBIs and had 11 stolen bases. He was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team.

“I am so appreciative of this. I have worked very hard for this my whole life and it is a dream come true,” Munden said in a university release. “I want to thank my coaches for making the player I am today and I hope I can carry everything over to my pro career.”